Diesel-powered Mazda6 is still on its way to the United States

It appears that Mazda didn’t abandon the idea of offering a diesel-powered Mazda6 in the United States. These words came from Jim O’Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North American Operations, who said that the company is still very much committed to diesel and that they are still working on getting the performance aspects up to where they want them.

For those who don’t know, Mazda planned to offer the 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D turbocharged petrol engine back in 2013 but the company struggled to meet the tailpipe emissions standards in the United States.

The diesel models that are available overseas, the diesel engine delivers between 140 and 173 hp, while peak torque is 280 and 310 lb-ft.

At the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, Mazda unveiled the 2016 Mazda6 Facelift, an updated version of its sedan that features a redesigned front grille, new headlamps as well as a new shark fin antenna and new LED taillights.

Under the hood, there is a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G direct-injection gasoline engine producing 184 hp (137 kW) and 185 lb-ft of torque. Engine is mated as standard to the Skyactiv-MT manual transmission, while the six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission is offered as an option.

Born from the Mazda Takeri concept car, the Mazda6 flagship represents a pure expression of the brand’s KODO design language. Its design marries intellect, with elegance and a dynamic shape, allowing the Mazda to be named as a Top 3 Finalist for the 2013 World Car Design of the Year award.

For the latest iteration of the Mazda6, the carmaker decided to further refine its design and create a stronger expression. This was partly achieved by adding texture and enhancing the three-dimensional character of the front grille and signature wing.

This was also achieved by the new headlamps with an emotional stare as well as by the signature wing illumination. The new Mazda6 still features the elegance typical of the KODO design language, but it is now bolder and more expressive. This gives the new flagship model a stronger presence on the road while telling a story about the brand’s evolution.

Further refinements on the new Mazda6 include the fins on the front grille, which has a stronger horizontal appearance that combines with the powerful shape of the three-dimensional signature wing to give the flagship model a bolder and more elegant front end.

The new Mazda6 rides on darker 19-inch aluminum wheel with high-gloss paint for a deeper metallic appearance. The rear combination lamps make use of LED lighting signature for a sharper appearance. The new Mazda6 also comes with a new compact shark fin antenna. Customers could now pick from any of the nine exterior colors like Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Mica.